Some of South Africa’s leading finance executives will gather on 14 March in Cape Town to discuss the future of their finance teams, and will reveal the skills they are looking for most, to address changing business requirements.
Just as the requirements from the CFO have changed in organisations over the past few years, whether brought on by disrupting technologies, new ways of working, or increasing regulations, so have the requirements from their finance teams.
“CFOs are not the people they used to be. People want much more from them, and these expectations should filter down to their teams,” says Satrix CFO Rick Martin, one of the speakers at The People Power Reimagined Summit that will be taking place on 14 March at the 180 Lounger in Cape Town.
Also speaking at the evening is future-of-work guru Ray de Villiers, who will explore the challenges and solutions of the evolving workplace. Rick will be joined by Webber Wentzel CFO Aneshree Naidoo and Jobjack CFO Danya von Scheliha, who will unpack how they are grappling with – and resolving – some of these demands.
In the meantime, below are some CFOs who have found new and creative ways to unlock the power within their people to deliver the insights, capabilities and innovation their businesses need:
Bridgestone AME FD Prinisha Khoosal has a clear vision for what makes a finance team great. “I want strategic thinkers who can both zoom out to see the big picture and zoom in on specific issues,” she said in an interview. This ability to adapt and pivot between overarching strategies and focused topics is crucial in today's ever-changing business landscape. She values agility and proactiveness, believing that understanding business drivers and market dynamics is essential.
Clicks CFO Gordon Traill said in an interview that combining financial expertise with tech know-how helps his team make informed decisions that align with their goals: “It allows us to use data analysis, predictive models, and emerging technologies to improve our financial strategies, manage risks and find new growth opportunities. This mix of skills forms the basis of a forward-thinking team, ready to lead our organisation through the challenges and opportunities of the digital age.”
In transforming her finance team, Zeda Group CFO Thobeka Ntshiza has also “dared” to give young people a chance, and said in an interview that they are “showing her flames” – in a good way! “They are smart, they are hungry and they are eager,” she says.
